Amplifying system for wind instruments



y 1970 H. o. WETSELL ErrAL 3,510,564

AMPLIFYING SYSTEM FOR WIND INSTRUMENTS Filed Aug. 8, 1966 FIG.

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INVENTORS H. 0. WETSELL D. W ST/LES BY Q a ATTORNEY States Patent U.S.Cl. 841.04 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An amplifier for windinstruments having a pickup hood containing a microphone and a supportmember connected externally to the bell of the instrument at a pointremote from the bell opening, for mounting the hood within the annularconfines of the bell opening and out of contact therewith, so as tominimize undesirable noise pickup resulting from movement of the keys ofthe instrument.

This invention relates to a sound amplifier for wind instruments, andwhile the principle involved may be employed with various types of windinstruments, the invention was primarily designed for use in connectionwith the bells of saxophOnes.

We are familiar with a number of known amplifying systems for differenttypes of wind instruments, such, for example, as that illustrated anddescribed in the US. patent to Rudd, No. 2,574,591, wherein the pickupdevice is combined with a mute member which fits into the bell of atrumpet in direct contact therewith. Others involve a pickup devicebuilt into the instrument itself which usually requires expensivealteration of the instrument.

The main disadvantage with these known structures resides in the factthat the pickup devices not only transmit the musical vibrations, butalso many undesirable noises, such as those resulting from the movementof the instrument keys. This disadvantage is especially noticeable whena saxophone is involved, because of the many moving keys employed in aconventional saxophone.

It is therefore the primary object of the present invention to providean amplifying system especially adaptable for use with saxophones whichwill reduce to a minimum the pickup of undesirable noises which, whenamplified, are extremely objectionable.

Another object of the invention is to provide an amplifying devicewhich, as distinguished from a conventional mute, only partially fillsthe bell opening of the instrument and is so mounted with respect to thebell as to avoid any actual contact therewith.

A further object of the invention is to provide an amplifying device ofthis character which is suspended within the bell opening by only onecontact point which facilitates the elimination of undesirable noisepickup.

A still further object is to provide a novel and effective means formounting the pickup cartridge or microphone in an inverted cone assemblywith a maximum of insulation to eliminate undesirable noises.

With the above and other objects in view which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention consists in the novel featuresherein set forth, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and moreparticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings in which numerals of like character designatesimilar parts throughout both views:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the 3,510,564 PatentedMay 5, 1970 amplifying device of the present invention mounted on thebell of a saxophone; and

FIG. 2 is a sectional view, illustrating the pickup cone assembly andits supporting means.

In the drawings, referring first to FIG. 1 the numeral 3 represents thebell of a conventional saxophone which terminates in the usual flaring,annular edge 4. It has been found that the sound vibrations insaxophones emanate in great volume from the edge of the bell. Therefore,in order to minimize the pickup of undesirable noises, such as movementof the keys, the pickup assembly of the present invention, generallyindicated by the numeral 5, is suspended within the annular boundariesof the bell opening and completely out of contact with the bell. Thispickup assembly comprises a hood or cone 6 of any suitable materialwhich is inverted so that its mouth 7 is directed into the bell of thesaxo phone. As previously indicated, the circumference of the pickupopening 7 is smaller than that of the saxophone bell opening, and itsonly point of support is completely free of the bell edge 4.

The cone 6 is supported as at 8 on one extremity of a support wire,generally indicated at 9, the opposite end of which is fixed by anysuitable means as at 10 to a bell strap 11. The support wire 9 extendsin spaced relation alongside of the hell 3 for a distance and is thenoutwardly looped as at 12 so as to accommodate varying sizes ofsaxophone bells, suspending the pickup assembly 5 centrally of the bellopening as shown in FIG. 1.

The support wire 9 is preferably constructed of 10- gauge steel or brasswire which provides suflicient rigidity to afford adequate support forthe pickup assembly. It has also been found that the most practicalmounting point for the bell strap 11 is from 4" to 5" below the edge 4of the saxophone bell 3. Preferably, a cork band 13 lines the bell strap11 which is adjustably secured in place on the bell 3 by any suitableclamping screw arrangement, such as at 14.

Returning to the pickup assembly, a microphone or pickup cartridge 15 issupported within the mouth of cone 6, and, preferably, this isaccomplished by the use of a substance known as silicone silasticrubber, a product of Dow-Corning. This is applied in the form of a heavypaste as shown at 16 in FIG. 2, which, after having set and cured,becomes rubber-like and provides an excellent adhesive quality. Themicrophone cartridge 15 is embedded in this material within the cone,which not only secures the microphone in place, but provides efiicientinsulation for the microphone. While the silicone silastic rubber ofDow-Corning is specifically mentioned above for supporting themicrophone in the cone 6, it will be understood that any suitablematerial may be employed which has the properties of adhesiveness, and,when cured, forms a tough rubbery solid with insulating characteristics.If desired, an epoxy material may be used.

The usual connections 17 lead from the microphone to a jack 18 which maybe connected to a conventional amplifier (not shown) by a cable 19 onthe end of which a plug 20 is provided for insertion in the jack 18. Theleads 17 are suitably insulated and may also be covered with a materialsimilar to that in which the microphone is embedded, thus completelysealing the wiring connections and pickup from moisture and dust.

A conventional on-and-oif switch 21 is provided for controlling theamplifier, and, if desired, a volume control may also be employed. Also,the control switch may be foot controlled by a conventional footactuated switch.

It may be noted that this amplifying system in no way affects the normaluse of a saxophone and is especially adaptable for use where a saxophonesoloist is playing in the saxophone section of an orchestra and isrequired to render a solo. By simply actuating the control switch 21 or,if desired, a foot operated switch (not shown), the solo can beamplified. In other words, the pickup device may remain installed on asaxophone at all times and used only when desired.

From the foregoing, it is believed that the invention may be readilyunderstood by those skilled in the art Without further description, itbeing borne in mind that numerous changes may be made in the detailsdisclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention as setforth in the following claims.

We claim:

1. An amplifying system for wind instruments, comprising a pickup hoodconsisting of an inverted cone of less diameter than the bell opening ofsaid instrument, a microphone in said hood, leads from said microphoneto an amplifier, and a support member connected externally to the bellof said instrument at a point remote from the bell opening, comprisingthe sole means for supporting said hood within the annular confines ofsaid bell opening, with the bounding edges of said hood spaced radiallyinwardly from and out of contact with said bell opening, said supportmember consisting of a supporting wire externally secured at one end tosaid bell with its opposite end secured to said hood by a one-pointcontact.

2. An amplifying system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said microphoneis secured within said hood by means of a mass of adhesive material inwhich the boundary of said microphone is embedded.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,249,409 12/1917 Jones 841.04

WARREN E. RAY, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

